Mike Flynn, a candidate for the 18th District special election to fill the seat vacated by the disgraced Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock, has released his first TV commercial painting his opponent, establishment Republican Darin LaHood, as a “fat cat.”

The ad urges 18th District voters to vote for change and features a series of overfed cats with a voiceover speaking of “bank bailouts,” and “stimulus packages,” and other establishment economic abuses. The ad ends with an image of Darin LaHood, as the narrator urges voters to “show fat cats the door on July 7.”

Flynn is running a come-from-behind campaign in fundraising with upwards to $64,000 reported during the latest reporting period, and $33,0000 on hand. His opponent, though, is reporting $718,000 in fundraising, with $520,000 on hand.

LaHood seemingly had the inside track on running to replace Schock. After the former Congressman announced his resignation, LaHood jumped into the race to replace him before the echo of Schock’s announcement had died out.

LaHood had already raised $200,000 from establishment sources by April, well before the July 7 special election primary date was even set. The sitting state senator has also been the recipient of fundraisers from such establishment candidates as John Boehner, the Illinois State GOP, and the Chamber of Commerce.

The general election is scheduled for September 10.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston, or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.